Calcium ion significance on the maintenance of barley (Hordeum vulgare) chromosome compaction.

Cations, especially calcium ions (Ca), is one of the major factors responsible for the chromosome higher-order structure formation. The effects of cations on the human chromosomes have already been evaluated, however, whether the presence of similar effects on plant chromosomes has not been reported to date. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of Ca on the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.

Imaging the inner structure of chromosomes: contribution of focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy to chromosome research.

Visualization of the chromosome ultrastructure has revealed new insights into its structural and functional properties. The use of new methods for revealing not only the surface but also the inner structure of the chromosome has been emerged. Some methods have long been used, such as conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Application of the Chromosome Image Analyzing System (CHIAS) for Straightening Cation-treated Bent Chromosomes.

Divalent cations, mainly calcium and magnesium ions, are known to play a major role in the maintenance of chromosomes. The depletion of both ions using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) results in a bent chromosome structure with extended arms and dispersed chromatin fibers. The importance of divalent cations for the maintenance of chromosome structure has been reported previously; nevertheless, previous studies were limited to qualitative data only.